Second - our haunt took a trip to Netherworld the last night they were open this year, and we saw they have a couple of flying actors. I also know some of the other big haunts do this as well...my question is - how is this done? Is there a company that sells the necessary rigging/harness/cables? Or do you have to make it yourself? If it is a company, who makes it? If you have to do it yourself; does anyone have some tips/hints/templates?

I'm not sure how the big guys do it, but as a Theatre professional first and a Haunter second, I would HIGHLY recommend you hire a professional rigger who is certified to do any flying of props and especially actors. There are also two major companies that fly people in the US, zfx and flying by foy. I prefer zfx. I think you should give them a call and explain what you are wanting to do and they can point you in the best/safest direction. There is a great potential for injury to your actors/audience as well as for liability. I would really recommend you ask the pros for help on this one.

Netherworld introduced me to the flying actor rig. I helped install an "I" beam that used a trolley and chain. The actor just hung with a harness and flew from one end to another. At the time, about 6 years ago, this was safe and effective. Since then I have seen actors fly on thick cables stretched from one wall to another. Please don't do that unless you know your cables, and even then, there are better ways. I strung up an actor using a barn door track. Video below. This worked well and inspired other haunters to add it to their haunts. The wire I used was the black aircraft cable. If you use this version, please make sure there is a good daily inspection of the cable and rig.
I would say that if your funds allow it, go for the I-beam. You can make a quiet trolly that will do what you need.

FYI: I drew plans to get the wall-walking rig made where the actor walks around the room. I am trying to get Larry at the Darkness make it happen. If he does, the rig, will replace all the above.

Baked beans, tacos.. cleared for take off!
The illusion of flight may be accomplished as the audience faints, passes out from your fumes, you will seem to be rising up as they fall down.
Recently Penny Marshall ("Lavern & Shirely") told how when they had her "flying" something came loose and she hit the concrete hard and could not work for several days.
Like the old saying"People can drown in an inch of water", as applied to falling the same extreme may hold true.
I personally would be and remain THE MOST impressed if someone was "Flying" and made to seem to be a very LARGE person which would really make them wonder, now wouldn't it?

Man that is cool... I might have to steal that idea from you... can you give me more details on the rig and track...

Thanks

Geoff

Originally Posted by imagineer

Netherworld introduced me to the flying actor rig. I helped install an "I" beam that used a trolley and chain. The actor just hung with a harness and flew from one end to another. At the time, about 6 years ago, this was safe and effective. Since then I have seen actors fly on thick cables stretched from one wall to another. Please don't do that unless you know your cables, and even then, there are better ways. I strung up an actor using a barn door track. Video below. This worked well and inspired other haunters to add it to their haunts. The wire I used was the black aircraft cable. If you use this version, please make sure there is a good daily inspection of the cable and rig.
I would say that if your funds allow it, go for the I-beam. You can make a quiet trolly that will do what you need.

FYI: I drew plans to get the wall-walking rig made where the actor walks around the room. I am trying to get Larry at the Darkness make it happen. If he does, the rig, will replace all the above.

The wall walker rig is a simple barndoor track. They can be found at most farm supply stores and even some hardware stores. The one in the picture (and video) is 18 feet long. There are mounting brackets that are sold specifically for the track.track2.jpgtrack1.jpg

I built the uprights out of doubled 2x4s they were 14 tall. I screwed them into the wall and then screwed them into the concrete floor. Lastly I ran supports running across the top, all on the backside of the wall.

The harness used came from from the same company that made the flying rig for the broadway play Peter Pan. It holds a wire on either side (or both). A simple push of the pin and u are free or connected.

I think the company was called Z rigs (or something similar). The wire used was black air craft cable. I built it all to hold 500 pounds just to be sure.
-Instead of using a barndoor, use a small metal rod about 12 inches long. Weld the two wheel brackes to this bar drill a hole through the bar or weld a metal ring to hold the cable.

The track is not too expensive. the don't look like they support much, but if you have a barn, you know those suckers can hold up a lot of weight. The wire is not a bad expense either. The harness put us back about $5,000. But it was worth it for safety.

Hope that helps.
If any other haunters are interested in the more advanced track rig and willing to make one, send me an email.